Bijan Robinson up, rookie QBs in limbo
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The second weekend of the NFL preseason is an extension of August’s smorgasbord of approaches by all 32 groups as they put together for the wins and losses that really rely in September.
Week 2 featured high-profile rookies on some groups nonetheless looking for their skilled sea legs, high-profile starters on others getting re-acclimation snaps whereas attempting to protect the juice of their legs plus a preponderance of gamers battling to retain or declare middle-of-the-roster safety or bottom-of-the-roster alternative.
Week 2 (pre) doesn’t wrap till Monday evening, when the Baltimore Ravens might add to their league report with a twenty fifth straight preseason victory, however lots has already occurred to designate the newest batch of winners and losers … all of them probably overreactions:
WINNERS
Will Anderson Jr.: The 2023 draft’s third total choice arguably produced the spotlight of the weekend, the Houston Texans cross rusher blowing up (and thru) Miami Dolphins RB Salvon Ahmed on the best way to his first skilled sack … which was of the strip selection.
New York Giants offense: QB Daniel Jones made his 2023 preseason debut Friday and linked on eight of 9 cross makes an attempt for 69 yards and a landing, his solely incompletion a drop by TE Darren Waller. That apart, Jones and his new weapon confirmed good chemistry, hooking up 3 times for 30 yards on an evening when RB Saquon Barkley didn’t play. Rookie WR Jalin Hyatt additionally chipped in with a 33-yard TD seize, furthering bolstering hopes for an assault that ranked 18th final 12 months.
Scary accidents, optimistic outcomes: Means too many backboards and medical carts in use league-wide in latest days, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB John Wolford, Philadelphia Eagles Tyrie Cleveland and Moro Ojomo and New England Patriots DB Isaiah Bolden experiencing numerous levels of misery that included lack of mobility – Wolford and Bolden briefly hospitalized. The Pats and Inexperienced Bay Packers even called off the remainder of their contest Saturday evening after Bolden was taken off the sphere after mendacity on it immobile for minutes. Thankfully, all of the gamers regained full motion of their extremities, Bolden effectively sufficient to fly dwelling along with his teammates.
Bijan Robinson:Widely considered the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, the eighth total choose of this 12 months’s draft bought his first sport motion for the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, trying easy on his approach to 26 yards by way of 5 touches.
Kyle Trask: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ third-year passer accomplished 20 of 28 throws for 218 yards and a landing whereas enjoying most of Saturday’s 13-6 victory over the New York Jets. Trask, who began and likewise completed the sport following Wolford’s harm, appeared to increase his battle with Baker Mayfield – he didn’t play towards the Jets – with head coach Todd Bowles declining, for now, to announce his selection to switch retired legend Tom Brady.
Ties: No additional time in the course of the exhibition slate, y’all. Therefore Eagles-Browns and Bengals-Falcons ending deadlocked after 4 quarters.
Tank Bigsby: The Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie again rumbled for 70 yards on 13 carries in Motown – his 122 yards on the bottom this month ranked second within the league – and the third-rounder out of Auburn is displaying ample indicators he is able to decreasing the load on Jags RB1 Travis Etienne Jr.
Damar Hamlin: His comeback tour hit the street Saturday, the Buffalo Payments security serving as a workforce captain in Pittsburgh – his hometown and web site of his school profession with the Pitt Panthers. Greater than seven months following his on-field collapse due to cardiac arrest, Hamlin referred to as it “tremendous particular” to swimsuit up towards the Steelers.
Jimmy Garoppolo: The Las Vegas Raiders’ new quarterback performed his first sport since struggling a foot harm final December and accomplished all 4 of his passes for 39 yards in a knocking-off-the-rust win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Brock Purdy: The San Francisco 49ers’ second-year quarterback performed his first sport since struggling an harm to his ulnar collateral ligament in final season’s NFC championship sport loss to Philadelphia. Purdy nailed 4 of 5 passes for 65 yards in Saturday’s win towards the Denver Broncos.
Tua Tagovailoa: The Miami Dolphins’ fourth-year quarterback performed his first sport since struggling a concussion final Christmas. Usually sharp, Tagovailoa hit on 5 of seven passes for 61 yards and led a 14-play, 93-yard TD drive in Houston. Hopefully a harbinger of issues to come back.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in midseason kind? The reigning Tremendous Bowl champs torched the Playing cards 38-10, and MVP Patrick Mahomes was Ok.C.’s lowest-rated passer Saturday with a 109.0 score. The Chiefs’ up to date offensive line allowed precisely zero quarterback hits even because the workforce put the ball within the air 38 instances.
Teddy Bridgewater: The Lions’ new QB2 has worn jersey No. 5 for his complete profession, however RB David Montgomery already claimed it in Detroit. So, for preseason anyway, Bridgewater – whereas making the beginning Saturday – opted for 5 … and 0. He gained’t be capable of put on 50 as soon as the common season begins, however seeing a veteran dressed up like a Pop Warner participant within the final out there jersey makes preseason a contact extra enjoyable.
Zach Wilson: The Jets’ starter the previous two years however now QB Aaron Rodgers’ backup, Wilson continued his on-field rehabilitation by finishing 9 of 13 passes for 70 yards and stirring his teammates with a 35-yard run that he concluded by decreasing his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Wilson’s encouraging preseason may very well be an indication he deserves to stay in New York’s long-term plans … or, at the very least, is likely to be rebuilding some commerce fairness if Rodgers sticks round for a number of years.
Joint practices: Within the modern NFL atmosphere, one more and more (and rightly) geared towards the well being and security of the gamers, these controlled sessions seemingly function the perfect boards for groups to place personnel in productive conditions minus the dangers of a preseason sport. And followers actually don’t need to see their most vital performers damage within the least vital video games.
LOSERS
Joint practices: They make it even more durable for season-ticket holders to unload – or need to make use of – these exhibition ducats. Bears-Colts, Chargers-Saints and Eagles-Browns had been among the many video games largely devoid of recognizable gamers – they bought their significant work executed in the course of the week – leaving the video games largely to fringe prospects.
Zach Wilson: He’s nonetheless lacking a number of too many gimme throws, ought to not be decreasing his shoulder to cap off runs in August and will not have one other alternative to play once more for a while – Rodgers rumored to be starting the Jets’ final preseason game. After making optimistic strides, can Wilson preserve his momentum on the follow fields of suburban New Jersey shifting ahead?
Teddy Bridgewater: No magic in that No. 50 anyway, Teddy B. In his first sport with Detroit, Bridgewater fumbled and led the offense to all of two yards on his first three drives towards Jacksonville.
Arizona Cardinals in midseason kind? Early front-runners to complete atop the 2024 draft order, the Kyler Murray-less Playing cards seemed feckless towards the Chiefs and did little counsel this would possibly not be a protracted season that finishes effectively in need of the playoffs. Along with shedding by 4 touchdowns, Arizona was outgained 504-286.
Tua Tagovailoa: He was intercepted on his first snap in Houston. Tagovailoa battled again in a sport Miami gained 28-3, however it was a little bit of a microcosm of his profession. After two so-so seasons, he led the league with a 105.5 QB score in his injury-interrupted 2022 marketing campaign. He’ll must get again on that monitor if he hopes to safe the long-term monetary dedication 2020 draft mates Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert have already got.
Jake Moody: The very best-drafted kicker for the reason that ill-fated Roberto Aguayo was a second-rounder in 2016, Moody (a third-rounder this 12 months) hit a game-winning 32-yard discipline objective for the Niners … barely. Nevertheless Moody has now missed three of his seven preseason kicks. San Francisco may need to preserve free agent Robbie Gould on velocity dial.
Matt Barkley: 4 turnovers (3 INTs, fumble) within the loss at Pittsburgh … not the optimum approach to snatch the backup job behind Payments beginning QB Josh Allen.
Rookie quarterbacks: Sure, the Carolina Panthers’ Bryce Younger and Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud made incremental progress from their Week 1 debuts … although fairly low bars. Nonetheless, neither led a landing drive nor seemed particularly efficient regardless of mixing in a number of optimistic performs. Not less than Younger and Stroud, the primary and second picks, respectively, of the 2023 draft performed. The Indianapolis Colts held out newly anointed starter Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 total choose, and Tennessee Titans second-rounder Will Levis was too banged as much as publish himself. The quartet have collectively thrown zero TDs this month.
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Observe USA TODAY Sports activities’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.
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